Reinhardt University Theatre Program

F 23 MUT 350 010, Nisbet

Course Title: Acting for Musical Theatre I    Course#:  MUT 350  
INSTRUCTOR: David Nisbet
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Campus E-mail: dsn@reinhardt.edu
773-793-7244

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Acting for the Musical Theatre I is a course that will explore aspects of acting within songs.  The course will focus on solos and audition pieces. 

COURSE RATIONALE: Students who want to become actors in the highly competitive areas of musical theatre must have the ability to communicate character through song and make the audience believe the character you are presenting.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
    1.  You will acquire, discuss, experiment with and demonstrate knowledge of the respiratory process through physical and vocal exercises designed to promote the controlled and effective use of the appropriate muscles used in breathing for performance.
     2.  You will acquire, discuss, experiment with and demonstrate knowledge of sound production (phonation) and amplification (resonation and projection) by using these skills in physical and vocal exercises designed to explore sound for the stage.
     3.  You will identify, locate, compare and practice the sounds of General American English in tongue twisters and drills geared to promote awareness of the fundamentals of good speech.
     4.  You will prepare, rehearse, memorize, perform, record, interpret and critique (for musical theatre technique) various solos throughout the semester aimed at challenging you with a diverse array of musical theatrical material.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Although there is no required text, it is suggested highly that you purchase A Musical Theatre Anthology in your voice type (soprano, tenor, etc)

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Demonstrate and lead vocal warm-up
2. Participate in classroom activities (including the warm-up and class discussions)
3. Be prepared for weekly vocal selection to sing
4. Final solo or duet project

GRADE VALUES:

Participation……………………………….............50%
Attendance…………………………………………25%
Final Project……………………………………….25%

GRADING SCALE 

90-100   Excellent		A	
80-89    Very Good		B	
70-79     Fair			C	
60-69    Substandard		D
59-0      Failing		               F

CLASS POLICIES

Please do not eat, drink (except water) or chew gum in class
Please wear loose fitting rehearsal clothes that can be worn lying on the floor (please dress modestly) and expect  to remove your shoes for the warm up.
Physical contact among participating class members is to be expected.
Please silence all electronic devices during take off.
Remove tongue rings
Use of recording devices:  ask permission.
Visitors:  ask permission 

ABSENCE/LATE POLICY 
 
Attendance and prompt arrival for classes is expected.  Abuse of these will result in the lowering of a grade (3 Absences will result in the lowering of a grade-each additional absence will lower the grade respectively) 

Center for Academic Success 
 
The Center for Student Success (CSS) is located at the lower floor of Lawson, room 035. CSS offers free peer and faculty tutoring for all subjects. For appointments, go to Reinhardt webpage and click Center for Student Success  

 
Honor Code 
 
All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, and to abide by the Reinhardt Honor Code. Also, all students are expected to be familiar with the Reinhardt policy on academic dishonesty stated in the University Catalog and in the Student Handbook. Plagiarism (using the ideas and phrases of others without crediting them, therefore claiming those ideas and phrases as your own) will not be tolerated in this course or on this campus. To avoid such academic dishonesty, you must use a citation (footnote or in text) for all ideas drawn from your reading and research, including research in encyclopedias and online, even when you have restated those ideas in your own words.  
 
Credit Hours 
 
Fall/Spring 3-credit lecture or seminar course, face-to-face Over 15 weeks, students will spend 150 minutes per week in lectures, class discussions, and examinations (37.5 hours for the semester). Instructional time includes a 3-hour final exam. Outof-class work includes homework and preparation for exams and quizzes and is estimated at around 300 minutes per week (75 hours for the semester).  
 
Program Learning Outcomes 
1.	   Students will learn a firm foundation in language, theory, terminology and ideology that reflects the standard concepts used in theatre.  USLO- I, II, III 
2.	Students will learn how to prepare for the professional world of theatre in which they will be able to display competencies in the following areas:  Performance, Musical Theatre performance, production, directing and design.  Students will demonstrate an understanding of character, motivation and objective which will be evident in their final projects and presentations performed in their performance or design class.  USLO- I,II,III 
3.	Students will demonstrate appropriate critical and creative thinking as well as writing and research skills in theatre history.  Students will have a basic understanding of major theatre movements throughout history and how they interact, effected or reacted to their own culture. USLO I,II,III, IV 
 
4.	 Students will be able to identify different genres and styles of dramatic literature and be able to evaluate, synthesize and create dramatic plays and scenes- USLO-I, II, III, IV Students will be able to identify different genres and styles of dramatic literature and be able to evaluate, synthesize and create dramatic plays and scenes- USLO-I, II, III, IV  

DISABILATIES 

Please instructor if you have a documented physical or learning disability requiring academic accommodation. Students with disabilities should  be registered with the Office of Student Support Services  and must present legitimate documentation to demonstrate  that an accommodation is appropriate.speak with the 
 
“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with Performing Arts webpage to maintain best practices for musicians’ health and safety concerns: https://www.reinhardt.edu/academics/music/PDF/Reinhardt-Musician-Health-and-Safety.pdf 

PLEASE NOTE 
 
This syllabus is subject to change in response to the needs of the class as it develops over the semester.  Students will be informed of any changes that might affect the grading policy, or the nature of individual assignments. 
 
Changes in the syllabus and/or calendar/schedule may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

 Important:
All students, faculty, staff and administration at Reinhardt University are subject to changes in policies if mandated by the State of Georgia.  Current policies and procedures can be found at: : https://www.reinhardt.edu/back-to-campus
If you have any questions, please refer to the website or contact Reinhardt University at the numbers below.
Campus Nurse within the Student Health Center
nurse@reinhardt.edu, 770-720-5542 or www.reinhardt.edu/nurse.
Public Safety
Non-Emergency Phone: 770.720.5789
Emergency Phone: 770.720.5911
publicsafety@reinhardt.edu
Dean of Students
deanofstudents@reinhardt.edu, 770-720-5540
Office of the Provost
provost@reinhardt.edu, 770-720-9102.
disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a documented disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Academic Support Office (ASO). Reinhardt University is committed to providing educational opportunities for all students and assisting them in making their college experiences successful and positive. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA),Reinhardt university  recognizes a student with a disability as anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Academic Support Office coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. All reasonable accommodations are individualized, flexible, and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment. 
If a student with a disability does not have an observable disability, current documentation of the disability from a licensed professional must be provided to the Academic Support Office.  

Statement on Health and Safety Issues for All Musicians 
 
The Reinhardt University School of Performing Arts, per the standards of the National Association of Schools of Music, is required to inform students and faculty of health and safety issues, hazards, and 
procedures inherent in practice, performance, teaching, and listening both in general and as applicable to specific specializations. This includes, but is not limited to, information regarding hearing, vocal and musculoskeletal health, injury prevention, and the use, proper handling and operation of potentially dangerous materials, equipment, and technology.  Please read and follow the guidelines linked on the School of